Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have enough drawing paper (or scrapbooks), pencils, erasers, and a variety of crayons for every child. The central idea is to encourage pupils to freely express their imagination by drawing and colouring any object of their choice. Emphasize that there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ drawing, only their unique creation. Observe pupils’ engagement and their ability to choose an object and make an attempt to draw and colour it independently.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 5
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Creativity
Curriculum Theme: Creativity
Previous Lesson: Identifying and Naming Different Colours and Simple Shapes
Topic: FREE EXPRESSION: DRAWING AND COLOURING OBJECTS OF CHOICE
Subject Matter: Free Expression: Drawing and Colouring Objects of Choice
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify objects they like from their environment.
- Choose an object they wish to draw.
Affective Domain
- Express their ideas and imagination through drawing.
- Enjoy the process of creating their own artwork.
Psychomotor Domain
- Hold a pencil and crayon correctly.
- Draw simple lines and shapes to represent a chosen object.
- Colour neatly within the lines of their drawing.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in the drawing and colouring activity.
- Share drawing materials respectfully with classmates.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Scrapbooks or drawing paper
- Pencils
- Erasers
- Crayons (various colours)
- Examples of simple drawings (e.g., a ball, a house, a flower)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is crucial for 4-year-olds as it fosters their creativity, imagination, and self-expression. Allowing children to choose what they draw builds confidence and independence, while the act of drawing and colouring strengthens fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and colour recognition. It connects to their daily experience by encouraging them to represent familiar objects in their own unique way.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify and name some common objects, recognize different colours, and have some experience holding a pencil or crayon to make marks or scribble.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
FREE EXPRESSION: DRAWING AND COLOURING OBJECTS OF CHOICE
Free expression means you can draw anything you like! It’s your choice. You can draw a ball, a house, a flower, a car, or anything you can think of.
Steps to Free Expression Drawing and Colouring:
- Choose: Think of an object you like.
- Draw: Use your pencil to draw the object on your paper. Use simple shapes like circles, squares, and lines.
- Colour: Use your crayons to colour your drawing nicely. Try to colour inside the lines.
Key Words
- Draw – To make pictures with a pencil or crayon.
- Colour – To fill in a drawing with different colours.
- Object – A thing you can see or touch, like a ball or a house.
- Choice – When you pick what you like.
- Express – To show your ideas or feelings.
Drawing and Colouring Song
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Draw, draw, draw what I like,
Any object, big or small.
With my pencil, I will draw,
Shapes and lines for one and all.
Colour, colour, bright and bold,
Stories in my art unfold.
Actions:
- “Draw, draw, draw what I like”: Pretend to draw in the air.
- “Any object, big or small”: Make a big circle with arms, then a small circle.
- “With my pencil, I will draw”: Pretend to hold a pencil and draw.
- “Shapes and lines for one and all”: Make different shapes in the air.
- “Colour, colour, bright and bold”: Pretend to colour.
- “Stories in my art unfold”: Point to your heart, then open hands wide.
Watch and Draw Freely
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Introduce “free expression” by asking pupils what their favourite things are and explaining they can draw any of them. Emphasize that their drawing is special because it’s their idea. Use simple language and encourage their choices.
What to show or demonstrate: Show a blank sheet of paper and then briefly draw a very simple object (e.g., a stick figure, a ball, a flower with basic shapes) to model the process. Then, demonstrate colouring neatly within the lines. Have a few examples of simple, child-like drawings of different objects ready to inspire them.
How to use the rhyme/song: Sing the “Drawing and Colouring Song” together at the beginning of the activity and again at the end. Encourage pupils to do the actions as they sing to reinforce the concepts of drawing and colouring.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see other children drawing freely. Play the video, asking pupils to observe the different things children choose to draw. After watching, encourage them to think about what they would like to draw themselves.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are able to choose an object, make an attempt to draw it, and use crayons to colour. Provide gentle guidance on pencil grip and colouring within lines without stifling their creativity.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Question and Answer
- Practical Activity
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Motivation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils warmly and asks them about their favourite toys or things they see around them (e.g., “What is your favourite animal? What do you like to play with?”). The teacher then introduces the idea of drawing anything they like.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to the teacher’s questions, naming their favourite things. They listen attentively.
Learning Point: Pupils are engaged and introduced to the concept of drawing things they like.
Step 2: Explanation of Free Expression
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Concept Introduction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “free expression” simply, telling pupils they can draw “anything they want” from their imagination or things they see. The teacher shows simple examples of drawings of different objects (e.g., a ball, a house, a flower).
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and look at the example drawings, understanding that they can choose what to draw.
Learning Point: Pupils understand that they have the freedom to choose what to draw.
Step 3: Demonstration of Drawing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher demonstrates on a large paper how to draw a simple object (e.g., a round ball or a square house) using basic shapes. The teacher encourages pupils to think about what they want to draw.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher draw, observing how simple shapes can form an object. They start thinking about their own chosen object.
Learning Point: Pupils observe the process of drawing a simple object using basic shapes.
Step 4: Demonstration of Colouring
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Skill Modelling
Teacher’s Activity: After drawing the object, the teacher demonstrates how to colour it neatly using crayons, encouraging pupils to stay within the lines. The teacher reminds them to choose their favourite colours.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils watch the teacher colour, paying attention to the technique of staying within the lines.
Learning Point: Pupils learn how to colour neatly within their drawings.
Step 5: Guided Practice
Time: 6 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Support
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes drawing paper, pencils, and erasers. The teacher encourages pupils to choose an object and start drawing. The teacher walks around, offering gentle guidance and encouragement, helping with pencil grip if needed.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils choose an object, take their materials, and begin to draw their chosen object on their paper.
Learning Point: Pupils begin to apply their understanding by drawing their chosen objects with support.
Step 6: Individual Activity (Drawing and Colouring)
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Independent Application/Facilitation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes crayons and encourages pupils to continue drawing and begin colouring their objects. The teacher continues to supervise and praise their efforts, reminding them to colour neatly.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils continue drawing and start colouring their chosen objects independently, expressing their creativity.
Learning Point: Pupils independently draw and colour their chosen objects, developing fine motor skills and self-expression.
Step 7: Evaluation/Review
Time: 4–5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.
- “Show me the object you drew.”
- “What is the name of your object?”
- “What colours did you use to colour your drawing?”
- “Did you enjoy drawing what you chose?”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate by showing their drawings and naming the objects and colours.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson by presenting and describing their drawings.
Step 8: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises all pupils for their beautiful drawings and creative efforts. The teacher reminds them that they can always draw anything they like. The teacher leads the class in singing the “Drawing and Colouring Song” one more time.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils feel proud of their work, listen to the teacher’s praise, and sing the song.
Learning Point: Pupils feel encouraged and motivated to continue expressing themselves through drawing.
Lesson Keywords
- Draw – To make pictures using a pencil or crayon.
- Colour – To add different colours to a drawing.
- Object – A thing, like a ball, a house, or a flower.
- Choice – Picking what you want.
- Express – To show your ideas or feelings.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils who find it difficult to choose or draw, the teacher can offer a few simple picture cards of objects (e.g., a circle, a square, a triangle) and guide them to draw one. Hand-over-hand guidance can be provided for holding the pencil and making basic strokes. Encourage scribbling as a first step if formal drawing is too challenging.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly complete their drawing, encourage them to add more details to their chosen object, draw another object, or tell a short story about their drawing. They can also be asked to identify more colours used in their drawing or in the drawings of their friends.
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